AWARDS 2024 | Best Large TSHD – Hydromer – Piriou

Constructed in the famed Concarneau, Brittany, yard of France’s leading and most versatile ship builder, Piriou, this immensely innovative trailing suction hopper dredger will operate from the fascinating and beautiful, Venice-like, Mediterranean port of Sete.

In the ever-lasting quest for lower emissions and greater economy, the owner has chosen to equip the vessel with a hydrogen fuel cell system. That should make for substantial reductions in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. That quest is further facilitated by an impressive new diesel electric propulsion system.

Hydromer is undoubtedly one of the world’s most modern and environmentally clean dredgers of any size or type.

"Within a limited size (70 metres by 16.7 metres), it combines a wide range of dredging possibilities without compromising crew comfort for 14 persons," Romain Hamoui, Tug, Harbour and Workboat Product Manager at Piriou, told Baird Maritime.

"With its 1,500-cubic-metre capacity, Hydromer can work up to 20 metres depth with its main trailing suction pipe, and up to 32 metres thanks to its extension. Being equipped with bottom doors and a bow coupling makes it very versatile for work in harbours and estuaries, for depth control in channel navigation and silting operations."

Hamoui added that the environmental aspect has also been enhanced to minimise emissions and ensure ease of operations.

The TSHD uses containerised, compressed hydrogen tanks, stored externally on the foredeck. There is thus no need to bunker hydrogen, reducing safety risks and making refuelling easier. A crane will then be used to swap empty containers with full ones and enabling "plug-and-play" operations.

A 200kW hydrogen fuel cell is combined with a 54kW battery pack for transit period and four electrical generators provide the operational power during dredging operations.

"As usual on every new project and even more with 'green energy' solutions, we have faced challenges," said Hamoui. "As a shipyard we have to focus on technological feasibility but also on classification society requirements and flag regulations.

"One of the biggest challenges was not [with] the fuel cell itself but all the peripheral equipment [needed for] making the hydrogen system reliable."

In Hamoui's view, shipbuilding is impacted by equipment price increases, and this is true for various types of equipment from propulsion to electrical components to accommodation fixtures.

"More restrictive regulations reduce the supplier’s list and push for higher prices and longer delivery time."

He added that shipowners are also in doubt regarding options on future energy sources as well the cost of each one, and this has compelled them to start deliberating whether to invest in such technologies immediately, or to do so in the future instead.

"The dredging industry is linked to geopolitics," Hamoui replied when asked by Baird Maritime about the future of the industry.

"As we can see, a conflict can quickly impact maritime routes. Longer routes mean more vessels or larger vessels, and larger vessels mean deep water ports, and consequently more dredgers."

He added that the average age of dredging equipment, "is already quite high," so the industry needs to prepare for fleet renewal.

Hamoui believes the French workboat industry will evolve along with the offshore wind industry.

"The windfarm industry is finally growing in France. To support this segment, proper terminals will be required. This means a need for vessels dedicated to windfarm construction and maintenance."

Hamoui said that in addition, all these terminals will need a full suite of vessels to build and maintain these terminals and ensure maritime access.

"Besides this, the Seine-Escaut river connection will boost waterway traffic between northern France and Belgium. With [a length of] 1,100 kilometres, this project will benefit Haropa Port. Around this new road, a whole circle of workboat activity [will be] generated."

For a list of the 2024 "Best Of" award winners, please click here.